Honour Premier, Ralph O’Neal while they’re alive
Government Minister Myron Walwyn wants Premier Dr D Orlando Smith, former Chief Minister Ralph O’Neal, and other locals who were instrumental in the development of the territory to be given honours while they are still alive.
Walwyn made the clarion call in the House of Assembly last week.
He wants the government to break from the practice of honouring persons after they have died.
“We wait until they are dead and then we come and we say all kind of things about them — about how wonderful they were blah, blah, blah, and we said nothing of that magnitude when they were alive,” he said.
Honour them now
Walwyn said the territory should honour to these leaders by labelling buildings and other infrastructure in their name.
“I remember saying a couple years ago; why don’t we name the [Multi-purpose Sports] Complex after Mr O’Neal? Mr O’Neal had every major position in the Government of the Virgin Islands. When we get the complex fixed up let us do that. Don’t wait until Mr Oneal goes on to the great beyond to come talking about how nice he was.”
He continued: “We have Dr Smith as well. Our Premier has made a magnificent contribution and we must honour him too, and honour him while he can enjoy it, and not when he is not sure what is going on and he is just alive; waiting for his maker.”
Honor Ira Smith and Speedy too
The minister mentioned recently deceased locals such as the founder of Speedy’s ferry, Edwin George as well as former architect Ira Smith who made significant contributions to the BVI but were never appropriately recognised.
He said the ferry terminal on Waterfront Drive should be named in Smith’s honour.
“And in Virgin Gorda, you have Speedy. He made a magnificent contribution. What are we waiting for? These are things that don’t cost us any money but they can do a lot in terms of the upliftment of people.”
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So it is only politicians who need honoring? Stupes!
Ira Smith and Speedy are politicians? Read before you blog
Why you sound so salty tho
hold on… we cant get crazy naming things after people then there will be noyhing left to name after the ones who really derserved it. Not because someone was in business for along time and made some contributions they deserved somthing to be named on their honor. honoring someone dont have to come with name. nonsense.
It is already like that. So many buildings named after people and even now people cannot remember who they were or what contribution they made to the country. We have handed out this “honor” so many times it is now thoroughly devalued.
It doesn’t have to be a building…
It could be a stretch of road, a park or anything!
Emperas without clothes
Election coming so some of yall ministers run talking now!
Myron you all are something else playing p—- because election is coming up trying to f— the Virgin Gorda people. One of these days take a good look at how the black virgin Gordians are living. Their standard of living and tell me if their leader for the past 40yrs needs honoring.
I do agree Speedy without a doubt needs to be honored.
Where are the business opportunities for these people not to mention there lands have been sold from under them. As far as the Multipurpose complex they are players like 88 and Steve Parillion who have there numbers retired in college and others as well who deserve that complex to be named after them.
Open the Virgin Gorda airport and get from here talking F—ery.